Gas-governor.



L. H. SCHNEIDER.

GAS GOVERNOR.

APFLCAUON FILED OCT-10| 1913- 1,197,860. Patented Sept. 12,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

L. H. SCHNEIDER.

GAS GovEaNoR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10, 1913.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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LOUIS H. SCHNEIDER, 0F CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO IKT.

VERNON CO., OF KITTERY, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

GAS-GOVERNOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Application filed October 10,` 1913. Serial No. 794,536.

To all 1o/0m t may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis H. SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chestnut Hill, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gas- Governors, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to gas governors. and has tor its obliect to provide a governor,

the operations of which may be observed from the exterior thereof without necessitating the disassembling of any of the parts thereof.

The object of the invention is further to provide a governor of the type employing lioats arranged in liquid in .which the entire volume of said liquid will act as a seal for the inner float, whereby said inner iioat` will be able to withstand substantially an pressure which may be applied thereto by the direct pressure of the gas entering said inner float from the street main to which said governor is connected, without becoming unsealed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide electrically operated instru-v mentalities adapted to operate said governor to entirely shut off the supply lof gas.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts whereby the above*` objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearing may be attained, as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the claims. v

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a governor embodying my invention shown partly in elevation with the floats and valve therefor in their normal depressed positions. Fig. 2 isla plan view of the saine. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3`3-of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upper end of the governor illustrating a modification of the means for operating said governor to entirely shut off the supply of gas. Fig. 6 is a section partly in elevation taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the drawings, 6 is a base provided with screw-threaded ends 7 to which may be con-A gas delivery pipes.-

nected gas supply and A passage 8 lextends through said base from ed to conduct gas one threaded end to the other and is adapttherethrough. A partition 9 is arranged intermediate said passage and divides said passage into two compartments 10 and 11. An opening 12 is arranged in said partition communicating with the compartments 10 and 11, while a valve 13 is adapted to be moved to open and close said opening and to regulate the iiow of .gas through said passage 8.

The valve 18 is provided with a stem 14 which extends from said valve through said opening 12 and outwardly through an opening 15 in the upper wall of the base 6. Operatively connected with said valve 13 are means arranged to automatically move said valve to regulate the passage of gas through the opening 12 and the passage 8, as for instance, when the pressure of the gas in the compartment 11 of the passage 8 becomes excessive it is desired that said valve be slightly closed to limit 0r reduce the admission of gas into said compartment. To accomplish the closing of said valve at such a time a float 16 is secured to the stein 14 Within a iioat receptacle 17, said float projecting into mercury 18 which is contained within said float receptacle. Communication between the interior of said iioat and the compartment 11 is provided through a passage 19. lVeights 20 normally retain said valve in its lower-most position or wide open, as shown in Fig. 1 thus permitting a full flow of gas to pass therethrough, but when the pressure of said gas is excessive the pressure of the weights 2O will be overcome by the pressure of the gas passing through .the passage 19 and into the float 16, whereby said float will be slightly elevated and the valve 13 moved toward or against its seat at the opening 12 and either shut off a through or the entire amount thereof according to the pressure within the compartment 11.

To steady the float 1G during its operation of opening and closing the valve 18 an inner float 21 is provided. This float is substantially smaller than the outer float, but is secured to the stem 14- of the valve to move with said float 16 and is adapted to be acted upon by the direct pressure from the gas entering the gas inlet compartment 10.

It will of course be obvious that any sudportion of the gas passing there-' den increase in pressure of gas will be felt first upon the float 21 as said float has to receive the pressure from the inlet side of the base 6. In view of this, it is important thatsaid inner float be sealed by at least as large an area of mercury as that which seals the outer float, and in order to do this a greater depth of mercury is maintained within said inner float than that within said outer float and therefore the mercury receptacle is pr vided with an inclined bottom which inclines downwardly toward the axis of the stem 141.

The level of the mercury in the mercury receptacle and within the two floats 16 and 21 will be the same, but owing to the shape of the bottom of said receptacle said mercury will be deeper in the channel Q3 within which the inner float 21 is located than it will be in the channel 1G containing the outer float, said channels having uninterrupted communication one with the other. The two lioats however extend to the bottoms of said channels, that is, when said valve is in its lower-most position thus said inner float will extend into said mercury to a substantially greater extent than will said outer float, the angle of the bottom of said receptacle being inclined to such an extent that the area of the internal surface of said inner iioat, which contacts with the mercury when said floats are depressed, will be equal or slightly greater than the area of the internal surface of said outer float which contacts with the mercury.

It is desirable in governors of the class described that as little mercury be employed as possible and therefore a central dome 2l is provided within said mercury receptacle which extends upwardly substantially above the upper level of said mercury, said dome having an opening 25 at the upper end thereof' through which the stem 1l is arranged to reciprocate, said opening being slightly 'larger than said stem to permit the gas from the inlet compartment to pass therethrough to the inner float 21. Furthermore by extending the dome 24 to a substantial distance above the level of the mercury with the opening 25 at said uppermost point it will be seen that there will be no chance for the mercury contained in said receptacle to leak therefrom.

It is desirable in gas governors of the nature specified that the operation of the floats within the float receptacle be observed in order to readily determine the condition of the mercury and as to whether th-e floats therein are properly sealed. For this purpose said receptacle is constructed of transparent material, preferably glass, and is arranged within a casing 26 which surrounds said receptacle to protect the glass, but having a series of openings 27 permitting inspection of the interior thereof.

To properly position the mercury receptacle relatively to the stem 14; and the opening 15 the bottom surface 28 is conically formed and adapted to engage and fit a corresponding conical surface 2S) at the bottom of the casing 26, said surfaces being ield in contact one with the other by a cover 30 secured by screws 31 to the casing QG, said cover engaging the upper edge of the receptacle 17 which not only secures said receptacle in its proper position, but also tightly seals the same.

To prevent a relative rotary movement between the receptacle 17 and the base G a tube 32 extends from the interior of the float 1C through the bottom of said receptacle and into screw-threaded engagement with the base G, said tube extending a substantial distance above the upper surface of the mercury and preferably on a level with the top of the dome 241, while through said tube extends the passage 19 by means of which gas may be conducted from the compart ment 11 to the interior of the float 16.

It is desirable that the weights 20 be contained within the `float receptacle out of the way where it will be impossible to tamper with them after they have been properly adjusted. lVhen lead weights however are employed this is not permissible for the reason that the mercury dissolves the lead, nevertheless lead weights are preferable as they are heavier and consequently taire up less room according to their weight and therefore to prevent the mercury from coming in contact with said weights, a weight receptacle 33 has been provided which is secured to the stem 11]; adjacent to the float 16, preferably by means of the same nut which clamps the floats 1G and Q1 thereto. The bottom 34 of said receptacle is curved downwardly toward said stem and the weights contained in said receptacle are preferably exact counterparts of said bottom and constitute in themselves weight receptacles, whereby loose weights, such as shot, may be placed within the uppermost receptacle', if desired, and owing to the shape of said receptacle said shot will be retained at the center thereof surrounding the stem 14. A cover is provided for saidreceptacle to entirely close the same.

rI`he mechanism hereinbefore described is for the purpose of regulating the low of gas through the passage S tirely closes the opening 1Q. It is sometimes necessary however for said opening to be entirely closed, particularly when a fire occurs in the building in which the governor is located, for the purpose of entirely shutting olf said gas to prevent explosions should the pipes connected with said governor become broken or disconnected. To accomplish the complete closing of said valve means are provided to act upon the stem 14:

and seldom if ever en-` lll) The means for r automatic or manually accomplishing the entire closing of the valve 13 is arranged preferably above the cover 3() and normally out of engagement with the stem 14. This means preferably consists' of a spring 36 which encircles the stem 14 andiis arranged to be compressed by trap doors 37 door 3S projecting held down by said d are pivoted at 39 and opposite sides ofV a cured to the cover tended at 42 which extension is 43 pivotally adapted to and 38, said beneath the door 37 and oor 37. These trap doors 40 respectively upon casing 41, which is se- 30. The door 37 is exslightly beyond the pivot 39 mounted upon the casing 41 and be retained in contact with said extension by a spring 44. A pair of electroinagnets 45 are arranged adjacent to said armature and conn ected in an electric circuit 46 which is adapted to be closed when it is desired to energize said magnets whereby said armature will be attracted by said magnets and sion 42.

disengaged from the exten- The trap doors 37 and 38 when closed are slightly removed from engaging a nut 47,

which has screw-tlireaded engagement with the upper end of the stem 14, but when said doors are released by the movement of the armature 43 said upwardly by to engage said nut trap doors will be forced the expansion of the spring 36 and move the stem 14 to close the valve 13 in which position it will remain until said traps are again depressed and locked by the The governor hereinbefore described very often used in gines and when so upon to resist sud armature 43.

connection with gas enemployed is often called den abnormal pressures due to the rapid consumption of gas when the charge is being and after said cylii denly shutting off the supply of upon the gas remaining in the will suddenly back 19 and consequently inflate the 'while at the same side of the valve 13 ment 10 will be dire 25 into the inner float 2l inendous force that receptacle 17 will be partially vapo'rized and forced from said r eceptacle either through the passage 25 or the passage 19 causing a loss of mercury. To counteract the action of these back pressu re waves I have provided an automatic checking means 48, said means preferably consisting of a gas chest 49 which is connected with the base 6 of said at theend thereof a governor djacent the compartment l1 by means of a pipe 50, which is screwthreaded to engage tion 7 of said base.

the screw-threaded por- The pipe 50 extends into the gas chest 49 and terminates in a lateral projecting portion 51. Another' pipe 52 also extends into said casing and is also provided with a lateral bent portion 53 which is bent in the same direction as the portion 51 of the pipe 50. This pipe however extends out` wardly from the gas chest 49 and connects with the inlet poi't of a gas engine. A valve 54 is disposed at a slight distance from the open end of the pipe 50 within the chest 49 and is preferably provided with an annular flange 55 which encircles the end of said pipe 50. A second valve 56 is arranged at a slight distance from the end 53 of the pipe 52, said valve also having an annular flange 57 secured thereto and surrounding said end 53.

li/leans are provi ded which operatively connect the falve 54 to the valve 56 and preferably consists of a lever 5S connected at opposite ends to t-he valves 54 and 56 respectively, while said lever is pivoted at 59 substantially midway thereof. Springs 60 preferably engage opposite ends of the lever 53 retaining said valves at equal distances from their respective pipes and in such positions said valves are arranged to remainpermitting gases undei' a normal state of compression to pass through the pipe 50 into the gas chest 49 and thence from said chest outwardly through the pipe 52 to the place of consumption witlieut moving said valves. Should however the delivery end of the pipe 52 be suddenly closed after a. substantial withdrawal of gas has taken place, which has created a rapid movement of said gas through the pipes, said gas remaining in said pipes will suddenly back up, as hereinbefore stated, causing a sudden abnormal pressure to act upon the valve 56, whereupon said valve will be moved away from the end 53 of the pipe 52, while the valve 54 will be moved toward the end 51 of the pipe 50 closing or partially closing said end and preventing said pressure from being extended beyond said valve chest. It will also be obvious that should the pressure be inthe opposite direction the action of the valves 54 and 56 will be reversed.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated another device for entirely clos ing the valve 13, this device consisting of a lever 61 pivoted at 62 to lugs 63 on the cover 30. A weight 64 is adjustably arranged upon the outer end 65 of the lever 6l, while the inner end 66 of said lever is adapted to be engaged by an armature 67 pivoted at 68 to the cover 30 and yieldingly retained in contact with said end by a spring 69. Elec` tromagnets 70 are arranged adjacent the armature 67 and adapted to be energized to attract said armature and to release the end 66 of the lever 6l, whereupon said lever will be operated by the weight 64 to engage the nut 71 to lift the stem 14' whereby said valve will be closed.

Trlaving thus described my invention what l elaini and desire by Let-ters Patent to seeure is:

l. fr gas governor having, in Combination, a base provided with a passage Jfor gas, a valve arranged in said passage, a floatreceptacle constructed of glass, the bottom of said receptacle being eonieally formed, a easing on said base provided with an opening communieating with said gas passage, the bottom et said easing surrounding said opening being eenieally formed to correspond with and engage the bottom of said ioat receptacle, and to position said receptacle eeni trally relatively to said opening, floats in said reeeptaele, and means operatively eenneeting said floats with said valve.

2. A gas governor having, in combination, a base provided with a passage for gas, a valve arranged 'in said passage, a float reeeiritaele constructed of glass, the bottom of said receptacle being eonieally formed, a easing on said base provided with an opening communicating with said gas passage, the bottoni el? said easing surrounding said opening being eonieallv formed to correspond `with and gage the bottom of said tloat receptacleg and to position said receptacle Centrally relatively to said opening, a tube extending from the interior of one of said Allo-ats through said receptacle and the bottom et said easing adapted to prevent a relati ve rotary motion between said receptacle and said easing. iioats in said receptacle, and means operativ ely eonneeting said floats with said valve.

B. A gas governor having, in combination,

Copies of a base provided with a passage for gas extending therethrough, a. valve arranged in said passage, a valve stein connected with said valve, means engaging said stem adapted to automatically move said valve to oontrel the 'liow of gas therethrough, and eleetrieally operated ineens adapted te move said stem to entirely close said valve.

t. A. gas governor embodying in its eenstruetion a detachable mercury receptacle Constructed of glass and provided with a central hollow dome extending upwardly from the bottom of said receptacle to a substantial distanee thereabove, inner and euteiI Vlieat channels in said receptacle, said inner elia inel extending a substantial dis Ianee below said outer channel.

5. The combination with a gas governor oi gas ehest connected therewith, an inlet and an outlet pipe eonneeted with said chest, the inner end of said pipes within said ehest being bent laterally of said pipes and in the same direction,- a valve disposed at a distance from the end of eaeh of said pipes, a lever pivoted substantially midway of its length and intermediate said pipes adapted to support said valves, and springs to normally maintain said valves substantially immovable at equal distances 'from their respective pipes.

ln testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUS H. SCHNEDER. lvitnesses 1 NAroLnoN Dnsnosnnis, URBAN ERNs'r.

this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of atents,

Washington, D. C 

